Hikigaya's God Slayer Story

Chapter 40: Hikigaya Hachiman Accidentally Got Skilled Again:

"Big brother, what are you saying? Hikari doesn't understand."

Sitting on the sofa, Mariya Hikari blinked her eyes, holding a drink, her little legs swinging, looking both puzzled and curious.

Her innocent gaze instantly made Hikigaya feel guilty.

Ugh! So bright! Don't look at me with those eyes! What kind of eye technique is this!? So powerful!

Alright, seriously now, it seems I misunderstood…

Kuhoutsuka, you damn idiot! How can you be so unfocused even as a creepy old man! What can you even do!? Eat shit!

"Ahem, ahem…" Hikigaya coughed twice, covering his embarrassment. "This drink must be expired since I ended up saying things even I don't understand. Anyway... you continue."

"Oh…" Mariya Hikari put on a look like she was impressed but didn't understand, then began to explain slowly.

Finally, Hikigaya understood.

Basically, this little sister, like her sister Mariya Yuri, possesses outstanding miko aptitude, and the Kuhoutsuka family is the guardian clan of the Nishitengū Shrine in Japan.

To protect it, they require mikos with special talents to assist.

"Oh, sounds like a pretty high-level part-time job. Why don't you want to do it?"

Hikigaya didn't understand. It sounded prestigious and the pay probably wasn't bad.

"No, if I do that, I won't be able to go back home and play with my friends for a long time." The little girl sniffled and looked unhappy. "Big brother, please help me?"

"What!? Imprisonment play!?"

Hikigaya was shocked.

I misunderstood you, Kuhoutsuka! You weren't unfocused at all! You're a total pro at this! I envy you... no, I despise you!

"Big brother, what's imprisonment play?" Mariya Hikari tilted her head and said admiringly, "Big brother is so amazing! You know so many things I don't understand!"

The great gentleman Hikigaya Hachiman earned double the admiration from a little loli with a mysteriously impressive expression...

"Ahem, ahem, ahem—!"

Hikigaya coughed badly… Damn! I got too skilled without realizing!

"You misheard, there's no 'play' involved."

Taking a deep breath, Hikigaya tried to piece together the conversation in his head…

I see. Although the workplace is prestigious, it's a boarding system, so once you go, you have to stay for a long time.

You can't go home to play LOL online and happily ruin teammates, and you can only eat boxed lunches.

As a lively little girl, Mariya Hikari naturally wasn't very happy, but since she couldn't directly refuse, she cleverly came to seek help from Hikigaya, who her sister praised as super impressive.

Although it felt nice to be trusted like that, Hikigaya felt an inexplicable sadness.

Since becoming a God Slayer, his intelligence seemed to sneak away quietly, causing constant misunderstandings. The Zaimozuka must really hate God Slayers…

Feeling the world's hostility deeply, Hikigaya put on a very serious sulky face and said to the eager little Mariya Hikari:

"Just pretend you didn't hear what I said earlier. You know how radios sometimes get static, right? That was static—don't ask!"

"Got it, I'll listen to big brother." Hikari nodded obediently, making Hikigaya almost tear up…

Why can't Komachi be this obedient!?

Hikigaya Hachiman started to feel melancholic about his life, sinking into self-pity—he definitely reincarnated into the wrong person!

Across from him, Mariya Hikari watched his changing expressions curiously.

She thought this big brother was really fun and knowledgeable.

Hmm, those new terms just now must be remembered because big brother is amazing, so whatever he says must be awesome knowledge!

Ding dong—!

The doorbell was surprisingly active today.

"Who now…" Hikigaya wondered, standing to open the door.

Could Komachi have finished playing with her friends so quickly?

"Eh? Mariya?"

Opening the door, Hikigaya was surprised to see Mariya Yuri.

This girl looked way better in casual clothes than in her miko outfit—and her chest looked even bigger like this!

"Hikigaya-kun." The busty spiritual miko shyly stood in the doorway, hands clasped in front of her chest, apologizing politely, "I'm sorry, my little sister seems to have pretended to be me and said some very bold things to you…"

Sis, please stop squeezing your chest, okay? It's already big enough!

Also, what do you mean by 'bold things'? Use proper words!

"By the way, last time you also called me 'classmate'?" Hikigaya asked in confusion. "Are we going to the same school? Aren't you in Tokyo?"

"Yes, because I didn't know how to address you properly. Mr. Amakasu told me you don't like being called by your 'king' title, so I just called you that."

Dirty old man, can you please stop popping in like this? Stealing the spotlight?

If it's really necessary, next time I'll buy you a energy drink, okay?

"Then why don't you just call me Hachiman?"

"Ah... that won't do. Our social statuses are vastly different, that would be very disrespectful, and… I've never called a boy by his first name before." Mariya Yuri showed a shy expression, almost covering her face.

Police! There's an alien here!

"Sis!" Just as Hikigaya was wondering whether to call the cops, Mariya Hikari's little head popped up from behind him.

"Hikari!" The previously shy Yuri instantly changed posture to hands on hips, scolding like a housekeeper, "You're so rude! How could you do such a thing?!"

"Wow! Just like a real sister, you found out my trick so quickly!" Hikari was about to run out for a sisterly moment but quickly shrank back.

"Don't be so mad…" Hikigaya, acting as the peacekeeper, said, "Kids are cuter when they're a little naughty. Come on in and sit down."

"No way, big brother. Hikari's not a kid anymore! Oh, sis, big brother said some really amazing knowledge just now, I have to tell you…"

"Hikari! You misunderstood! I didn't say anything!"

Hikigaya was alarmed, quickly interrupting Hikari's thirst for knowledge, then seriously invited the puzzled Yuri:

"Don't be polite, come in first, it's just a small matter, I'll help you."

"Oh, that's so kind of you…"

"No! Please let me help! Helping others is one of my life's pleasures! Without it, life would be boring!"

Hikigaya said firmly but felt like crying blood inside…

Kuhoutsuka! This is all your fault!

Chapter 41: Praise from the Kuhoutsuka Clan

"Is this the place?"

Following the Mariya sisters, Hikigaya found that the meeting spot was once again that park.

Everything about him had started at this park—why was this park so beloved by others...?

"Yes, the other party said 'can we meet next,' and it's here."

"Oh, that's good."

Hikigaya scanned the surroundings and walked over to a bench near the grove to sit down.

"Come sit together; there's no need to stand and wait."

"Ah, we can't sit with you. That would be too presumptuous."

Only Mariya Yuri would say something like that.

As always, she was very serious, but her younger sister Mariya Hikari was not so particular.

"Sis, why can't I sit with your husband?"

"Hikari! Where did you learn such unhealthy knowledge?"

Amidst Yuri's angry and anxious voice, Hikari stuck out her tongue and darted over to sit beside Hikigaya.

"Hikari! Sis is going to get mad!"

"Geez, sis is just shy. I want to sit with big brother."

Amid the sisters' chattering, Hikigaya suddenly felt a strong urge to pick his earwax...

Could they focus on the main point? The goal here was that perverted Kuhoutsuka-san.

While thinking this, he saw a black luxury car stop in front of the park, and the passenger door opened—out stepped a young man.

The young man looked about twenty-five, dressed in what appeared to be a high-quality suit, but he didn't look like a pervert at all—cultured and gentle, just someone seriously devoted to study.

"Big brother, that's Master Kuhoutsuka," Hikari immediately said to Hikigaya.

"Nani?"

Disappointment flooded Hikigaya's face.

Such an honest-looking guy—how was he supposed to beat him up?

So unreasonable! It was supposed to be a pervert!

Amid Hikigaya's disappointment, Hikari's anticipation, and Yuri's inner conflict, the young man approached.

Of course, he noticed Hikigaya sitting with Hikari and Yuri standing aside.

"Miss Mariya?" The young man hesitated, carefully scrutinizing Hikigaya several times, then showed a terrified expression.

"Your Majesty! …Forgive me, I am Kuhoutsuka, Commander of the Solar West Heavenly Palace's Guardian Deity, named Mikihiko. I didn't expect to be disturbed by you over such a trivial matter. Please pardon me for not recognizing you earlier."

He knelt on one knee in a very respectful tone.

"Kuhoutsuka-san, your family name sounds familiar. Have we had dealings before?"

Unable to bring himself to be hostile, Hikigaya decided to ask his doubts first.

"It's an honor to be noticed by Your Majesty. Perhaps it was a colleague from the Official History Compilation Committee who informed you," Kuhoutsuka Mikihiko said happily.

Official History Compilation Committee?

Hikigaya suddenly remembered. Damn! Kuhoutsuka was one of the Committee's Four Great Families.

But this family seemed very low-key. Maybe because they had some important mission, they stayed holed up in a shrine and didn't meddle much in outside affairs.

That shrine must be the West Heavenly Palace.

He wasn't sure what the Guardian Deity was—perhaps a historical figure like Tokugawa Ieyasu who had been deified after death.

Ancient Japan really liked to deify notable people posthumously.

"Sorry to trouble you to come here personally. There are some things I want to discuss with you." Seeing no sign of malice in the young man, Hikigaya couldn't bring himself to speak harshly. He reluctantly patted Hikari's head and continued, "Are you trying to hire this child as a shrine maiden?"

"Yes. In the West Heavenly Palace, the maiden serving the Guardian Deity requires special aptitude. The position has been vacant for many years. Recently, we found that Miss Hikari perfectly meets the requirements, so we made the request to her."

Damn! It was just a request!?

Hikigaya glared hard at Hikari.

The little girl seemed to realize her mistake and lowered her head, but then peeked at Hikigaya's expression again.

Seeing his faint smile, she shrank back quickly.

"I don't quite understand your family's affairs, but she's just a child. Is she really useful?" Hikigaya asked Mikihiko with a tone mixing doubt and curiosity.

He wasn't blaming Hikari much—it was good to learn more about the Kuhoutsuka family through this—he actually liked this family much more than the Sayanomiya family.

But serving a Guardian Deity sounded very high-class. Was it really okay to send a primary schooler for such a thing?

"Yes. As you said, a regular shrine maiden might not be suitable, but the 'Hime Miko' is different. Many Hime Miko leave their homes at a very young age to train alone. So for Miss Hikari, this isn't just work—it's part of her training and very beneficial to her."

Kuhoutsuka Mikihiko explained with a puzzled expression, clearly confused about why Hikari rejected the request.

It was obvious he thought this was a good opportunity for her.

Actually, after hearing his explanation, Hikigaya also thought it was a good thing for Hikari.

He knew the status of the Hime Miko in the Committee.

Even if they weren't officially Committee members, they assisted the Committee, respected and well taken care of, no matter how young, and definitely wouldn't be bullied.

But it was also natural for a child not wanting to train and preferring to play...

"I understand. But everyone is different, especially children. If the communication isn't enough, they might get scared. Give her more time to think," Hikigaya said kindly, feeling sympathetic.

His attitude eased the misunderstanding.

Kuhoutsuka Mikihiko seemed to realize his earlier mistake, accepted Hikigaya's advice gratefully and decisively, marking a perfect conclusion to the matter—that was impossible.

Because next, the young man politely said something very strange.

"By the way, you are truly amazing."

His tone was full of respect and admiration. He continued with an awestruck expression:

"I've long heard that Your Majesty possesses the dignity and masculinity of a young lion, causing many beautiful maidens to willingly serve you. I didn't expect the Mariya sisters to also be under your command. I am truly in awe, bowing at your feet."

"..."

Hikigaya's face immediately became very colorful...